Economy
Congressman Gonzalez is a voice for American consumers and an advocate for fiscally responsible policies that encourage economic growth and job creation in South Texas. He supports updating our nation's tax regime so that all Americans benefit from the nation's tax system equitably. He also supports reducing barriers for folks entering and moving up in the workforce, such as lowering the cost of education and increasing access to childcare.
As a member of the powerful House Committee on Financial Services, Congressman Gonzalez seeks to enact policies that protect seniors and service members from financial exploitation and balance the needs of taxpayers, businesses, and regional and community financial institutions.
Congressman Gonzalez is also a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of centrist Democrats committed to pursuing fiscally responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense, and transcending party lines to get things done for the American people.
A staunch supporter of pragmatism and mutual respect, Congressman Gonzalez is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The caucus consists of Democrats and Republicans who pursue common sense, bipartisan economic policies working together for the common good of the United States of America.
More on Economy
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced $374,580 in federal funds for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) to help small rural businesses across South Texas increase economic development. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development grant program which is designed to help businesses that have fewer than 50 new workers and gross less than $1 million in revenue in rural areas.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced the opening of applications for the 2020 Environmental Education (EE) Grants Program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has $3 million in funding available for locally-focused environmental education projects under the program.
In addition to other environmental topics, the 2020 EE Grants Program will fund education-based projects pertaining to marine debris mitigation, food waste and loss reduction, and recycling.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Filemon Vela (TX-34) announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $850,000 in federal funding to construct two new hangars and extend the runway at the Weslaco Mid-Valley Airport.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued a statement following the passage of H.R. 132, the North America Development Bank (NADB) Improvement Act of 2019 through the Financial Services Committee.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) applauded Aisin AW on its plans to invest $400 million and bring 900 new jobs to a future factory in Cibolo, Texas. The announcement came as part of broader commitment from Toyota to invest $13 billion in its U.S. operations over five years through 2021. Aisin AW is a supplier to Toyota Texas and Toyota.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced $404,550 in funding for the city of McAllen to hire new firefighters. The funding is part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Fiscal Year 2018 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program which is designed to strengthen the nation's ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards and improve the nation's preparedness.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued a statement following Texas Governor Greg Abbott's issuance of a disaster declaration in response to drought conditions in South Texas:
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) encouraged those in Cameron, Willacy, and Hidalgo Counties who were affected by the flooding in June to take advantage of all of the available resources offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other U.S. federal agencies.
FEMA is offering a wide array of disaster assistance and services including grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Kevin Brady (TX-08) introduced H.R. 3934, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2019. The legislation seeks to ensure more fairness for Social Security benefit payments by eliminating the windfall elimination provision (WEP).
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted to raise the minimum wage for the first time in decades for the hard-working men and women of the 15th District of Texas. H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act, would gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025. The measure passed 231 to 199.